Naboo
Theed
Padme's ship
In Padme's personal ship, R2 beeped as he received the message that was sent to Padme's ship and then redirected to him.
"Record this message and take it to your mistress, Padmé... and the Jedi Skywalker...'Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant."
R2 dutifully listened to the desperate message before Obi-Wan's voice cut out.
R2 whistled in dismay. "Oh boy."
Garage
Padme came in with a tray of food while Anakin was standing at a workbench, repairing a part of a speeder.
"I brought you something. Are you hungry?" Padme put the tray down.
"The shifter broke. Life seems so much simpler when you're fixing things. I'm good at fixing things... always was. But I couldn't..." Anakin stopped working, tears in his eyes. "Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her? I know I could have!"
"Sometimes there are things no one can fix. You're not all-powerful, Annie." Padme stated.
Anakin turned and walked away from the bench. "I should be! Someday I will be... I will be the most powerful Jedi ever! I promise you, I will even learn to stop people from dying."
"Anakin..."
Anakin now looked furious. "It's all Obi-Wan's fault. He's jealous! He knows I'm already more powerful than he is. He's holding me back!"
Anakin hurled the wrench across the garage. It clattered to the floor. He looked at his trembling hands.
Padme stared at him, shocked. "Annie, what's wrong?"
"I... I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them..." Anakin focused on her like someone returning from far away. "They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals... I hate them!"
There was silence for a moment, and then Anakin broke down, sobbing. Padme took him into her arms.
"Why do I hate them? I didn't... I couldn't... I couldn't control myself. I... I don't want to hate them...But I just can't forgive them."
"To be angry is to be human." Padme reasoned.
"To control your anger is to be a Jedi." Anakin tearfully argued.
"Ssshhh... you're human." Padme soothed.
"No, I'm a Jedi. I know I'm better than this. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
"You're like everyone else..." Padme rocked Anakin, as he wept.
"We gather here to celebrate the lives of those have passed and mourn their loss." The Queen spoke to the small assembly, standing before the graves of the people killed in the terrorist incident, including the senior staff of the Enterprise and C-3P0, who had remained in Shmi's possession even after she was freed here on Naboo. "We know that wherever they are now, it has become a better place. We come now to say our goodbyes and to give thanks for allowing us to be part of their lives."
Anakin stepped forward and knelt at his mother's grave, placing a bouquet of flowers down before it. "I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom. I wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again..." He stood up. "I miss you so much."
Silence.
Then beeps and whistles were heard. "Senator! Anakin!" They turned as R2 rolled up.
"R2, what are you doing here?" Padme asked, having left the astromech droid on her ship.
"I have a message from Master Obi-Wan with a priority one." R2 answered urgently.
Padme's Ship
A rough hologram of Obi-Wan was projected in front of Anakin and Padme as they played the flickering image.
"Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant."
Padme turned and reached over to a control board and pushed a button to transmit the message.
Naboo Orbit
USS Enterprise
Bridge
Kirk and the bridge crew watched as Obi-Wan relayed his message.
"I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis."
Coruscant
Chancellor's Office
Masters Yoda and Windu stood in the Chancellor's office along with Chancellor and several senators.
"The Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray..."
Naboo
Padme's Starship
Anakin and Padme continued to listen.
"...is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala and have additional plans to…"
Naboo Orbit
USS Enterprise
Bridge
"…to attack and destroy the Enterprise in an act of war against the United Federation of Planets."
Kirk frowned, sharing a look with Spock.
Coruscant
Chancellor's Office
"The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an... Wait!... Wait!"
Naboo
Padme's Starship
Anakin and Padme watch as Obi-Wan was attacked by Droidekas and the hologram cut off. Anakin jumped up, agitated.
Coruscant
Chancellor's Office
Yoda looked to Mace Windu. "More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed."
"I agree." Mace Windu said, turning to the projector. "Anakin…"
Naboo
Padme's Starship
Anakin and Padme watched a hologram of Mace Windu. "We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority."
"Understood, Master."
The hologram switches off and Padme looked at the readout on the ship's control panel. "They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away."
Padme started to hit buttons and flick switches. Anakin put a hand over hers, stopping her.
She stared at him and the unreadable expression on his face as he spoke. "If he's still alive."
"Annie, are you just going to sit here and let him die? He's your friend... your mentor..." Padme argued.
"He's like my father, but you heard Master Windu." Anakin cut her off. "He gave me strict orders to stay here."
"He gave you strict orders to protect me..." Padme pulled her hand free and flicked more switches with the engines firing a second later. "...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along."
Anakin grinned and took the controls. Meanwhile, 3P0 who had been given to Anakin since he originally built the droid and was left in the ownership of his mother, strapped himself into a seat behind Padme while R2 remained behind Anakin.
Naboo Orbit
USS Enterprise
"Uhura, sent a copy of Master Kenobi's message to Starfleet." Kirk immediately said once Obi-Wan's message had ended.
"Aye sir." Uhura set about her task.
"Inform them we should be anticipating a possible attack while on this side of the wormhole along with the possibility of war being declared." Kirk continued and walked over to Spock. "How far is Geonosis?"
"Not far, Admiral." Spock answered before something else caught his attention. "Admiral, a ship is leaving the planet. It's Senator Amidala's ship."
Kirk turned to the view screen. "Show me."
Sure enough, there was Senator Amidala's ship leaving the planet.
"Uhura, hailing frequencies." Kirk immediately said.
"Aye sir." Uhura nodded, inputting the commands into instruments. "They are responding."
Kirk watched as Padme and Anakin appeared on the main view screen. "Senator Amidala, I believed you were asked to stay in Naboo until your assassin had been captured."
"From what I see, Admiral that part is over." Padme replied. "Now we need to stop a war from breaking out."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Kirk asked.
"By going to Geonosis and helping Master Kenobi." Padme answered.
"Senator, that is perhaps the last thing you should do. Discounting the fact that Geonosis is not a Republic aligned planet, if you are caught on the planet you would be giving Count Dooku along with the other commerce guilds justification to start a war." Kirk immediately stated. "They could argue that you attempting to free a friend who was captured on their planet committing espionage shows them that the Republic has no respect for the laws of cultures that wish to remain independent of the Senate."
"You heard Master Kenobi's transmission, war is what they want." Padme argued.
"Maybe so, but they will have to work harder if you don't give them the match they need to start the fire." Kirk replied. "You are the leader of the opposition against creating an army for the Republic but if you help start a war you will be forced to stand down as the Senate will immediately vote to create an army to counter the Separatists before they can launch an attack. You will be giving them exactly what they want."
Padme looked conflicted by that, possibly having never realized that but she shared a look with Anakin before looking back at Kirk. "I am sorry, Admiral but I can't stand by and let a friend be executed by the same people wishing to kill me."
Padme ended the call and a second later the Naboo ship went into hyperspace.
Kirk sighed as he looked to Spock. "I don't suppose you have any words of wisdom to help with this."
"None come to mind." Spock admitted. "Senator Amidala does have good intentions but her emotions cloud her judgement."
"Is this how your father would have felt when he courted your mother?" Kirk could not help but ask.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "Possibly…But my mother may be emotional but she is not one to rush into hostile situations."
Kirk smiled a bit. "Really?"
"Admiral, she was an Earth teacher and I am aware when one is teaching children, one must have a great deal of patience when dealing with human children." Spock stated.
"I wish I could argue with you on that but experience prevents me from doing so." Kirk shook his head and turned away. "Uhura, inform Starfleet that Senator Amidala and her Jedi Protector are on their way to Geonosis to rescue their friend."
"Aye sir."
"Mr. Sulu, set course for Genosis." Kirk sat down.
Spock turned to Kirk. "Admiral, is it your intention to assist them?"
"Of course not. What gave you that idea?" Kirk asked innocently.
"Admiral, you just cautioned Senator Amidala against going because her attempting to rescue Master Kenobi could potentially start a war. Is not going there achieving the same result?" Spock inquired.
"Oh, we're not going there to help, Mr. Spock. As you heard, Viceroy Gunray wishes to destroy this ship for our actions against him in the Naboo War." Kirk answered with a small smile. "If this ship is attacked it could draw the Federation, our Federation and our galaxy into a war. The only way I see to preventing that is going to Geonosis and confronting him and Count Dooku and convince them not to act so hastily without putting some deep thought into it."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "Logical."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock." Kirk said with a smile before looking at Sulu. "Take us to hyperspace when you are ready, Mr. Sulu."
Inner Rim
Coruscant
Chancellor's Office
"The Commerce Guilds are preparing for war...there can be no doubt of that." Bail Organa shook his head.
"Count Dooku must have made a treaty with them." Palpatine mused.
"We must stop them before they're ready." Organa suggested.
Jar-Jar waved a hand. "Exsueeze me, yousa honorable Supreme Chancellor Sir. Maybe dissen Jedi stoppen the rebel army."
"Master Yoda, how many Jedi are available to go to Geonosis?" Palpatine asked the Jedi Master.
"Throughout the galaxy, thousands of Jedi there are. To send on a special mission, only two hundred are available." Yoda answered.
"With all due respect for the Jedi Order, that doesn't sound like enough." Organa turned away.
"Through negotiation the Jedi maintains peace. To start a war, we do not intend." Yoda said pointedly.
"The debate is over! Now we need that clone army..." Senator Aak-Aak burst out.
"Unfortunately, the debate is not over. The Senate will never approve the use of the clones before the separatists attack." Organa argued.
"This is a crisis! The Senate must vote the Chancellor emergency powers! He could then approve the use of the clones." Mas Amedda finally spoke.
"But what Senator would have the courage to propose such a radical amendment?" Palpatine asked sadly.
"If only Senator Amidala were here." Mas Amedda said to Palpatine who hummed in agreement.
Jar-Jar looked in between the Senators…
Geonosis
Geonosian Prison
Count Dooku walked into the cell holding Obi-Wan was suspended in a force field, turning slowly as blue electric bolts restrain him.
"Traitor!" Obi-Wan accused.
"Hello, my friend." Dooku said simply. "This is a mistake. A terrible mistake. They've gone too far. This is madness."
"I thought you were the leader here, Dooku." Obi-Wan said, trying not to wince from the electricity of the bindings.
"This had nothing to do with me, I assure you." Dooku said in a sincere tone as he slowly paced around the captive Jedi. "I promise you I will petition immediately to have you set free."
"Well, I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do." Obi-Wan said casually, making sure not to give away the fact that he had been spying on the count's meeting.
"May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?" Dooku softly inquired.
"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" Obi-Wan asked.
Dooku stopped pacing and faced the Jedi. "There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. Geonosians don't trust them."
"Well, who can blame them? But he is here, I can assure you." Obi-Wan argued.
"It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan." Dooku went on. "Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive. I could use his help right now."
Obi-Wan stiffened. "Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."
"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi." Dooku said gently as he went back to lightly pacing. "You forget that he was once my apprentice just as you were once his. He knew all about the corruption in the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he had known the truth as I have."
"The truth?" Obi-Wan asked, curious as to what truth could justify a civil war.
"The truth." Dooku confirmed. "What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lords of the Sith?"
"No, that's not possible." Obi-Wan said with finality in his voice. "The Jedi would be aware of it."
"The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend." Dooku said sadly. "Hundreds of Senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious."
"I don't believe you." Obi-Wan told him.
"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed ten years ago by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help. He told me everything." Dooku explained. "The Jedi Council would not believe him. I tried many times to warn them but they wouldn't listen to me. Once they sensed the Dark Lord's presence, it would then be too late."
Dooku leaned forward, almost touching the force field. "You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith."
Obi-Wan stared only for a second before he answered. "I will never join you, Dooku."
Dooku almost looked sad as he turned to leave but stopped and casually spoke one last time. "It may be difficult to secure your release."
In other words: Join me or stay locked up.
Obi-Wan said nothing as Dooku walked out and closed the door behind him.
Coruscant
Senate Building
Inside the great rotunda, the uproar was even louder as opposing senators yelled furiously at one another.
"Order! Order!" Mas Amedda shouted.
Finally, the uproar dies as Palpatine stood up and spoke. "In the regrettable absence of Senator Amidala, the chair recognizes Senior Representative of Naboo, Jar Jar Binks.
Amid the conflicting storm of cheers and boos, Jar-Jar, with two Gungan aides, floated on his pod to the middle of the vast space. He looked at Palpatine nervously who simply nodded.
Jar-Jar cleared his throat. "Senators, dellow felagates..."
There was some laughter and jeers that made Jar-Jar blush.
"Order! The Senate will accord the Representative the courtesy of a hearing!" Mas Amedda shouted, silencing the entire Senate.
"It's-a clear desa separatists made a pact... wesa desa Federation du Trade."Jar-Jar gripped the edge of the podium. "In response to the direct threat to the Republic, Mesa propose that the Senate gives immediate emergency powers to the Supreme Chancellor."
Brief silence, then came a rolling wave of applause. Jar-Jar beamed and bowed.
"Palpatine!"
"Palpatine!"
"Palpatine!"
Palpatine rose. "It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy... I love the Republic. The power you give me I will lay down when this crisis has abated."
The Senate applauded the Chancellor.
"And as my first act with this new authority, I will create a Grand Army for the Republic to counter the increasing threats of the Separatists." Palpatine announced, earning even more applause.
In the midst of it all, only Ambassador Sarek was silent and turned away.
Far above the podiums, Master Windu only had one thing to say. "It is done then."
"Hmm." Yoda hummed in silent but saddened agreement.
Windu stood up. "I will take what Jedi we have left and go to Geonosis and help Obi-Wan."
"Visit I will the cloners on Kamino, hmm... and see this army they have created for the Republic." Yoda stated.